Vin Scully and Fernando Valenzuela throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 2 of baseball’s World Series between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

An online petition begging for a retired Vin Scully to participate in Fox’s broadcast of the World Series garnered more than 6,000 signatures. They didn’t get their wish, but a ceremony on the field prior to Game 2 came close.

With a microphone in hand, Scully narrated his efforts as he walked to the pitcher’s mound at Dodger Stadium, ostensibly to deliver the ceremonial first pitch.

“You know what I’m thinking right now,” Scully said as he walked, “somewhere up in heaven Duke Snider, Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella and Gil Hodges are laughing their heads off: Look who’s throwing out the first ball at the World Series.”

Only Scully, who turns 90 in November, didn’t throw the ball. He rocked into a windup, then stopped and said he injured his rotator cuff (wink, wink).

So Scully called for a left-hander, and former Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela emerged from the dugout – to the delight of the crowd. It was Valenzuela, now a member of the Dodgers’ Spanish-language broadcast team, who threw the pitch to a former Dodgers catcher, 1981 World Series co-MVP Steve Yeager.

The televised ceremony concluded a long pregame ceremony that included Brad Paisley singing the National Anthem and an eardrum-rattling flyover.

— J.P. Hoornstra

Vin Scully helps throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 2 of baseball’s World Series between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Vin Scully helps throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 2 of baseball’s World Series between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Vin Scully and Fernando Valenzuela throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 2 of baseball’s World Series between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Vin Scully talks to Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig before Game 2 of baseball’s World Series against the Houston Astros Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Vin Scully and Fernando Valenzuela throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 2 of baseball’s World Series between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Vin Scully helps throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 2 of baseball’s World Series between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Vin Scully appeared to throw out the first pitch to former Dodger Steve Yeager, but then pretended to have an injury. He then passed the ball off to Fernando Valenzuela for the honor. The Los Angeles Dodgers played host to the Houston Astros in game 2 of the World Series. Los Angeles, CA 10/25/2017 (Photo by John McCoy, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Vin Scully appeared to throw out the first pitch to former Dodger Steve Yeager, but then pretended to have an injury. He then passed the ball off to Fernando Valenzuela for the honor. The Los Angeles Dodgers played host to the Houston Astros in game 2 of the World Series. Los Angeles, CA 10/25/2017 (Photo by John McCoy, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Vin Scully appeared to throw out the first pitch to former Dodger Steve Yeager, but then pretended to have an injury. He then passed the ball off to Fernando Valenzuela for the honor. The Los Angeles Dodgers played host to the Houston Astros in game 2 of the World Series. Los Angeles, CA 10/25/2017 (Photo by John McCoy, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Vin Scully and Fernando Valenzuela throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 2 of baseball’s World Series between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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